Barren Island (Andaman Islands)

Island India's only active volcano in the Andaman Sea

Barren Island in the Andaman archipelago is India’s only active volcano and accessible only to specialised expeditions. Scientists and experienced divers approach for remote volcanic landscapes and offshore reef study, not casual tourism.

Main image
Asiatic researches, or, Transactions of the Society instituted in Bengal for inquiring into the history and antiquities, the arts, sciences and literature of Asia (1799-) (20154940408).jpg
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Barren Island.jpg

Barren Island is a small volcanic island in the Andaman Sea, part of the Andaman Islands of India, and is the only historically active volcano in the region. The island has produced intermittent eruptions in recent decades and is geologically notable within the Andaman archipelago.

The island is uninhabited and visits are restricted because of volcanic risk and remoteness; nearby liveaboard and research vessels occasionally approach the island for observation. The island’s fresh lava flows and barren slopes contrast with the forested Andaman main islands.

Barren Island’s eruptions have been recorded in the 21st century and it is monitored by geological authorities in India. No permanent settlements are present and the island is primarily of interest to volcanologists and maritime observers.

The island lies in the southeastern Bay of Bengal, east of the main Andaman group, and is reached only by boat from larger islands and mainland ports with appropriate clearance.

  • Volcanic status: It is the only confirmed active volcano in the Andaman Sea and the only historically active volcanic island of the Indian subcontinent.
  • Access: Uninhabited and restricted for safety; boat access is controlled and generally limited to scientific or authorised visits.
Barren Island (Andaman Islands)
12.2667, 93.8500

How to Get to Barren Island (Andaman Islands) #

Barren Island is reached by boat from Port Blair (Andaman Islands) on scientific or government-authorized voyages; private tourist landings are generally not permitted due to safety and conservation concerns.

Tips for Visiting Barren Island (Andaman Islands) #

  • Barren Island is an active volcanic island - approach only with experienced guides and permission from the Indian government.
  • Flights and boat trips are rare and typically arranged for scientific or monitoring missions; tourist visits are not routine.
  • Keep a safe distance from vents and comply with all safety orders; volcanic gases and sudden eruptions are risks.

Best Time to Visit Barren Island (Andaman Islands) #

Visits depend on volcanic activity and government permissions; the dry season often offers more stable sea conditions.

Dry season
December-April · 25-30°C (77-86°F)
Relatively clearer weather for sea access, though volcanic activity can make visits impossible.
Monsoon
May-November · 24-30°C (75-86°F)
Rough seas and high rain; access restricted and conditions change rapidly.

Weather & Climate near Barren Island (Andaman Islands) #

Climate

Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 32°C. Heavy rainfall (3875 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
FebruaryMarchJanuary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

February

February is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 31°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
11.6h daylight

March

March is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. The driest month with just 19 mm.

91 Ideal

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
23° 31°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

April

April is the hottest month, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Regular rainfall (89 mm).

75 Very Good

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
24° 32°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
12.3h daylight

May

May is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Heavy rain (432 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
24° 31°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

432 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

June

June is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 26°C). Heavy rain (686 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
24° 29°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

686 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.7h daylight

July

July is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (646 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
24° 29°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

646 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.7h daylight

August

August is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (665 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
24° 29°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

665 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
12.4h daylight

September

September is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (695 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 29°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

695 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

October

October is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (324 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 30°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

324 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
11.7h daylight

November

November is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (176 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
23° 30°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

176 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

December

December is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 30°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.3h daylight

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